NCJ Number
173139
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: August 1998 Pages: 251-266
Date Published
1998
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Because gender is a strong correlate of delinquent behavior, gender differences in delinquency have proven difficult to explain, some analysts have called for gender-specific theories of delinquency, and others contend males and females are differentially exposed to or are differentially affected by the same crimogenic conditions, this article draws on Sutherland's theory of differential association and Gilligan's theory of moral development to argue that males and females are differentially affected by exposure to delinquent peers.
Abstract
Data were obtained from the National Youth Survey, a continuing longitudinal study of a wide range of self-reported delinquent behaviors in a national probability sample of 1,725 persons between 11 and 17 years of age. Data analysis showed males and females differed in exposure to delinquent peers, with males substantially more likely than females to have delinquent friends. This differential exposure contributed to sex differences in delinquency, but it was not the sole source of such differences. Quite aside from differences in exposure to peers, males appeared to be more strongly affected by delinquent peers than females. In turn, this evidently reflected the greater effect of moral evaluations in counteracting peer influences among females. Although the number of delinquent peers an adolescent had was the strongest predictor of delinquent behavior, moral judgments of females were apparently sufficient to reduce and even eliminate the impact of delinquent peers. Factors that affect the socialization and delinquent behavior of both males and females are discussed. 33 references, 2 notes, 6 tables, and 2 figures